(she/her)
I am a licensed psychotherapist with 21 years of post-masters experience. I received my graduate training at the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa, where I was strongly influenced by a holistic and culturally responsive perspective on healing. My work is grounded in a non–medical-model approach, emphasizing whole-person wellness rather than symptom labels. I integrate mind–body awareness, emotional regulation skills, and meaningful lifestyle practices to support lasting change.
In our first session, we’ll begin by understanding both your goals and your lived experience. We will explore how you relate to uncomfortable thoughts, sensations, and emotions, and begin shifting those patterns so they no longer drive your behavior. I believe there is value in discomfort: learning how to approach uncertainty with openness rather than fear is a key step in breaking long-standing, emotion-driven patterns that lead to disconnection or stagnation. Our work will aim to build clarity, groundedness, and emotional flexibility so you can move toward the life you want with greater confidence and ease.
One of my greatest strengths as a therapist is my ability to balance evidence-based treatment with a deeply individualized and compassionate approach. With over two decades of clinical experience, I am skilled at helping clients feel understood while also providing clear structure, practical tools, and forward movement in therapy. I excel at identifying patterns—whether cognitive, emotional, behavioral, or relational—and helping clients understand how these patterns developed and how to change them. Clients often describe my style as attuned and collaborative, while also direct and thoughtful when guidance or challenge is needed. I am especially effective with clients who are high-achieving yet struggling internally, as well as those navigating complex life transitions. My integrative use of approaches such as CBT and the Gottman Method allows me to tailor treatment to each client’s goals, whether that involves symptom relief, improved emotional regulation, healthier relationships, or greater self-trust and clarity. I emphasize skill-building, self-awareness, and real-world application so clients leave therapy with tools they can continue to use independently. Above all, I prioritize creating a safe, respectful therapeutic space where clients feel empowered to explore difficult experiences, make meaningful changes, and build sustainable well-being over time.
I work collaboratively with individuals and couples who are looking for meaningful change and are open to self-reflection, skill-building, and growth. Together, we explore patterns that may be keeping you stuck—emotionally, behaviorally, or relationally—and work toward creating greater balance, clarity, and resilience in your life. I often support adults navigating anxiety, depression, ADHD, professional stress, life transitions, relationship challenges, and identity or role shifts. Many of the people I work with are high-achieving yet overwhelmed, self-critical, or struggling to meet internal or external expectations despite appearing successful on the outside. In our work together, we focus on building insight, practical tools, and self-compassion so that change feels both achievable and sustainable. I also work with couples who want to improve communication, manage conflict more effectively, rebuild trust, or strengthen emotional connection. In couples work, we identify the interaction patterns that create distress and practice healthier ways of relating, with the shared goal of building greater understanding, safety, and connection in the relationship. We set clear, meaningful goals together and regularly check in on what’s improving and what still feels challenging. Along the way, we use supportive coaching, practical skill-building, and simple progress measures to track growth, adjust our approach when needed, and make sure our work stays aligned with what matters most to you. Overall, my approach is thoughtful, collaborative, and holistic—structured enough to provide direction, but flexible enough to meet your unique needs. My goal is to create a space where you feel supported, challenged, and empowered as we work toward the changes that matter most to you.
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
In my practice, I use CBT as a collaborative and practical approach that helps clients understand the connection between their thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. Together, we identify unhelpful thinking patterns, core beliefs, and behavioral cycles that contribute to distress, and then work to develop more flexible, realistic ways of thinking and responding. While CBT provides a strong evidence-based framework, I integrate it thoughtfully within a holistic, person-centered approach, ensuring that treatment remains compassionate, individualized, and responsive to each client’s values and goals.
Gottman method
In my practice, I use Gottman-based interventions to assess relationship dynamics, including friendship, conflict styles, emotional attunement, and shared meaning. Sessions focus on strengthening communication skills, increasing emotional awareness and responsiveness, and reducing patterns such as criticism, defensiveness, contempt, and stonewalling. Couples learn practical tools to manage conflict more effectively, deepen emotional connection, and repair after disagreements. I emphasize creating a safe, respectful therapeutic space where both partners feel heard and validated. The Gottman Method provides a structured framework, while allowing flexibility to tailor interventions to each couple’s unique history, values, and goals. My aim is to help couples build greater understanding, resilience, and connection both in and outside of sessions.
Acceptance and commitment (ACT)
I have extensive experience using Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) as part of my clinical work with individuals and couples. My approach is grounded in helping clients build psychological flexibility—learning how to relate differently to difficult thoughts, emotions, and internal experiences rather than trying to eliminate them. In practice, this means I support clients in identifying unhelpful patterns such as avoidance, overthinking, or self-criticism, and developing skills like mindfulness, cognitive defusion (stepping back from thoughts), and values clarification. I often help clients get clear on what truly matters to them—whether that’s in relationships, personal growth, or daily functioning—and then take meaningful, values-based actions even in the presence of discomfort. I integrate ACT in a practical and collaborative way, tailoring interventions to each client’s needs. This might include experiential exercises, real-life application, and building small, sustainable behavior changes. My goal is to help clients feel more grounded, less controlled by their thoughts, and more aligned with the life they want to be living.
1 rating with written reviews
March 18, 2026
I loved her approach and her profile and having my session with her was a warm, open, kind and authentic. I felt heard and her compassion shone through